Semantic Functions of Neological-Derived Adjective Suffixes

Abstract

This paper analyzes the meanings, values, and significant nuances of the suffixes involved in the formation of neological-derived adjectives. The objective is to determine whether such meanings, values, or nuances provided by the suffixes to the bases of these formations conform to or differ from those indicated in the semantic classifications of adjectival suffixes found in word-formation monographs, grammar studies, and dictionaries. For this purpose, a corpus of written press contexts containing neological-suffixed adjectives is used. The procedure entails analyzing the meanings, values, and significant nuances indicated in word-formation research, grammar studies, and dictionaries regarding the adjective-derived suffixes. Once delimited, it has been checked whether or not they conform to those contributed to the base by the suffixes of the adjectives in the corpus. The conclusions obtained not only allow us to determine the degree of productivity of each suffix, its vitality, and survival but also contribute to updating the semantic information regarding the suffixes comprised in dictionaries, grammar studies, and monographic research on word formation.